Permanent Pittsburgh Giant Ferris Wheel, Esplanade Plans Advancing

PITTSBURGH, PA — For the many people who have ridden the 60-foot-high Ferris wheel on the Roberto Clemente Bridge as part of Pittsburgh Oktoberfest festivities, this development will be good news: the city soon could have a larger, permanent Ferris wheel as the visual centerpiece to a $600 million development on the North Side.

The city planning commission next week will be briefed on the master plan for the Esplanade, a proposed mixed-use development on 15-acre site near the Rivers Casino. It would feature an approximately 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel and pavilion.

Piatt Companies, which is spearheading the project, is envisioning what it describes as a "inclusive riverfront community to live, work and play." Piatt hopes to break ground on the project next year. The first phase would be built in 2025-27, the second in 2026-28.

According to the Esplenade page on the Piatt Companies website, the project would contain 1,600 feet of river footage; an aquarium; 300 apartments and 105 condominiums; eight acres of open space; retail; food and beverage outlets; a 225-room hotel with a ballroom and meeting space; a life sciences/research and development building and permanent and transient marinas.

Additionally, the project would include a river safety facility; a grocery store; parking and multi-modal hubs; an experiential museum of Pittsburgh innovations; a recreation trail; a seasonal splash park/ice skating ribbon and public art.